The Chipata High Court has handed down a three-year prison sentence with hard labor to a 37-year-old man from Chipangali District after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Mathews Phiri, a resident of Chief Chanje’s area, was convicted for the stabbing death of Jason Banda, the husband of his lover.
Presiding over the case, Judge Koreen Zimba, who is sitting in Chipata, delivered the verdict after Phiri admitted to the reduced charge of manslaughter. The incident occurred in May 2022, when Phiri caused the death of Jason Banda.
According to the facts presented in court, the deceased had separated from his wife in January 2022 following a domestic dispute. On February 15, 2022, Banda discovered his wife in the company of Phiri, leading to a confrontation. During the altercation, Phiri fatally stabbed Banda with a knife, resulting in his death on May 18, 2022.
In his defense, Phiri’s counsel, Jonas Matende from Legal Aid, emphasized Phiri’s remorse and regret for his actions. However, despite the mitigation efforts, Judge Zimba ruled that Phiri be sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor, effective from the day of his arrest.
Someone who stole nshima and eggs in Mikomfwa, Luanshya got five years. What is the criteria ?
I was equally wondering. Someone stealing Nshima with eggs gets five year. Another one kills some is jailed three years. Is there a standard book in Zambia where all Judges read to guide them with their Judgement or it just depends on how much weed the Judge smoked last night or black label hangover to come up with these sentences.
I was just about to post that !!!
rediculous
as with the 10 Higer buses 3 years
That’s a corrupt judge right there.
Where is the DPP? Sir, get interested in some of the sentences like the one in Luanshya where someone stole nshima with eggs gets 5 years! At least if this is a fair judgement educate the public on the rationale because these judgements are making people to question the impartiality of the judiciary.
KasondJ
That’s a very very light sentence for murder its a painful insult to the deceased man’s relatives. Zambia’s twisted justice system and its judges need serious introspection.